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Please note I am aware of the "new" Hot Spot roll out program that Comcast is doing with these devices.

If you're not aware of what Comcast / Xfinity is doing with these new devices you can either DuckDuckGo it or take a look at this article.

Of course, I discovered that *after* I swapped it out and was setting it up.

I'm not really irritated by all that. I may chose to remedy that at a later date by purchasing my own (separate) equipment so for now, I'm just looking to lock down this Router / Modem as best I can. I will also be turning off (or, as they say, opting-out) of the new system.

Here's what I saw when I first logged into the new device. Note that you can't use spaces or special characters. They must really be concerned about Security over there at Comcast.

Next Up - Device Discovery. I did Disable UPnP but I have no idea what Zero Config is, nor what I should do with it. Suggestions? Ideas? Comments?

Anyone else see anything on here that should be changed / adjusted / tweaked or gotten rid of?

And, one final question about all this.

My password to log into the Router is the same as my password for the Wi-Fi. << is this a bad idea or practice? It's (I believe) a pretty secure password and I'm not really the paranoid type but if you believe I should change it, please let me know.

Thanks.

Winterland - broadcasting for The People on my new spiffy ultra-fast open to anyone with a Comcast email address Router / Modem located here in the Great Commonwealth of Virginia (insert salute >here<)

Password reuse - thanks for the reminder. As I mentioned in my OP, I'm not that paranoid and don't (thankfully) live in an area where I'm close enough for anyone to steal my wireless bandwidth without being too obvious, but it is any easy fix, so that too, will be tended to.

And, after a hilarious online "chat" with a Comcast rep, I discovered that the Comcast WiFi sharing had been turned off when the device shipped, even though Comcast was reporting that these devices were shipping with it turned ON.

To be honest, I'm still a little wary of the whole dynamic.

Wait, maybe I am paranoid.

There's something about this Router / Modem that seems...nefarious.

And since I've already got a decent router, perhaps I should just go ahead and buy a Modem that isn't supplied by Comcast and doesn't have any hidden features turned ON by default. << that's the whole point of this transaction that has left a chalky taste in my mouth. Just seemed like bad business. But, then again, we are talking about Comcast here.

I can't tell you how many times that I have called the comcast customer support and they have lied to me. The tell me there are going to do something and they don't. I wouldn't believe a single thing that they said about it being turned off. Remember they are trying to get you off the phone so they will lie to you and tell you what you want to hear in order to do that. Needless to say don't believe them when they say that its is disabled by default.

Hey there uByte, thanks for the feedback. A day or so after I posted my OP, I went ahead and did exactly what you recommended. I don't think I got the same model, but I did get a Motorola Surfboard, which should be here on Monday!

I agree, Comcast is not pleasant in a lot of ways, and like so many others, we're not in a spot that offers too many other choices, so I got to play the hand I've been dealt.

And for an update on all this, I've been powering the Comcast Modem / Router combo off at night and now every morning when I turn everything back on there it is >> "xfinitywifi" << broadcasting loud and clear.

I did log in to My Account an attempted to turn it off, but - surprise! - I kept getting an error message that "something went wrong" and that "Ishould try again later". Of course, when I clicked on the Pay My Bill link from My Account, it worked without any problems...

I considered calling them back, but my new Modem is on the way, so I just let it go.

Location:My own little corner of the universe (somewhere in Alabama). It's OK, they know me here

Local time:12:38 AM

Posted 11 July 2014 - 01:09 PM

Winterland, important information for you about the Comcast modem.

This is canned speech I use in the Comcast help forums.

When your equipment is picked up or turned in,GET A RETURNED EQUIPMENT RECEIPT. Make sure it documents that what you returned is a modem or tv boxes. If there are any stickers with serial or MAC numbers, make sure those numbers are on the receipt.Keep the receipt in a safe place, don't forget where you put it. Keep it until the middle of the next century. In the past, Comcast has billed customers for equipment that had been returned. Sometimes they lose track of the equipment and the receipt will be your proof that you turned it in to Comcast.

If you ship the equipment to Comcast, record tracking numbers. Keep those numbers in a safe place. You will need them later if Comcast bills you for the equipment.

Check the status of shipped items on the delivery company webpage. When you see it was delivered, print screen the delivery status. UPS also offers Track By Email. Use that option. You'll be notified by the delivery company when it is delivered. Save the email-again this will be proof it was received by Comcast. If using FedEx or the USPS see if they have a track by email and if they do, use it.

Print out the delivery confirmation (if your computer crashes and you lose the info the print out will be your proof of return) on the delivery company website. This should also be kept in a safe place where you can get to it if needed.

I know from experience that having the receipts can save you a lot of headaches. I was able to pull out my receipts when a collection agency notified me I owed for Comcast equipment that had been returned.

One thing I do when I turn in equipment is take a picture of the stickers on whatever I return. I then transfer the photos to my computer and print them out. They get stapled to the returned equipment receipts.

Queen-Evie - thanks for the post, info and reminder. I, too, have heard the horror stories and was concerned about sending this unit back once my new modem arrives.

Based on your information, I think I will take the extra time and drive over to the local Comcast drop off and request the Returned Equipment Receipt and take pictures & document any and all the stickers and numbers on the unit.

It's a sad commentary that this is necessary but that seems to be the nature of the beast these days.

Major thanks again for the information and the reminders as to why this is a good practice.

TIP 1: Make sure you purchase this "Retail Packaging - White". Don't try to save the few bucks buying the black version; all my research shows they are refurbished rentals from ISP providers and the common complaint is that they stop working about the time the warranty expires.

****I purchased this white SB6141 over the black SB6141 for one main reason. If you do your research you will notice that the Black SB6141 are only issued to ISP's from Motorola. Meaning, if you purchase a black model from Amazon (or any store), you are purchasing a used or refurbished product (they also ship in ordinary brown cardboard boxes). The only consumer model of the SB6141 is the white model which ships in traditional packaging. The white model is THE ONLY model that comes with a warranty from Motorola. I know this because I called Motorola twice and spoke to two (2) different reps who said the same thing; "Black boxes are for ISP's and do not have a warranty while the white boxes are for consumers and come with a warranty". Further complicating matters is that the black SB6141's usually have old firmware on them because they were generally made a few years ago. White SB6141 have newer or the newest firmware because they are shipping directly from the manufacturer. Your ISP may or may not flash customer owned modems to the newest firmware. If you purchase the Black model, you might be purchasing a 3 year old modem with no chance of upgrading it (also remember that you cannot flash your own modem's firmware).

Do yourself a favor and research this white consumer model over the black ISP model before you pull the trigger.

Location:My own little corner of the universe (somewhere in Alabama). It's OK, they know me here

Local time:12:38 AM

Posted 13 July 2014 - 10:55 AM

Just for the record I hate Comcast and there idea of equipment charges. And I am glad that you are getting your own modem. Make sure they don't charge you.

That's the reason I added the suggestion to save the box, the receipt and all documentation that YOU own the modem. It's the rule rather than the exception that Comcast will at some point charge you modem rental for a customer owned modem and them insisting it is one of theirs.

Yes, you do have to be very careful if purchasing a modem from Amazon, Ebay and similar sites. You could possibly end up with a Comcast owned modem which was not returned or stolen.

Well, by the time I read all these last couple of posts, my black SB 6121 modem was already on the way. *rats*

I can tell you that I just now opened the box and double checked, I did order the Retail Version and this thing is clean. I guess they're probably good at cleaning these things up. Thankfully I have not even tore the label that indicated I've accepted their Terms of Use, so I'm boxing it up and sending it back.

Going to order the White SB 6141.

This process has been way more complicated that I would have liked but I wanted to say to everyone who has taken time to get me up to speed, "thank you, thankyou, thank you."

Probably be a week or so before I get everything sent back and the new unit sent to me, but I'll give the updates as I get 'em.